"A guilty man set free on the account of another, is that justice? No that’s grace" Caleb & Sol

10 September 2012

TRUE RELIGION

James
1:26-27

I always love to watch the
latest church band wagons or trends and see who jumps on and who jumps off. The biggest church
band wagon or I should say! One of the biggest church band wagons that has poked it's ugly head is the expression "I love Jesus
and hate the church or religion." A few months back a young man posted a video about his love for the Savior and his dislike towards religion. Very thought provoking and poetic; some of the things he said were spot on and absolutely true.....But, he was completely wrong in how he used the word "religion" in his expression about his love for Jesus. See! The biggest
statement many say in the evangelical world is “I love God but hate religion”. My response to that
is! If you hate religion or the church …in reality you hate God, which
ultimately means you hate Christ [Because He is God is flesh] Jesus said just
from Matthew’s Gospel alone "Do not think
that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but
to fulfill.” Matt 5:17. In Matt 16:18 we
see the foundation for the church “And I also say to you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not
prevail against it.” In Matthew 18 we
see Jesus implementing the process for church discipline. In Matthew 26 we
see Jesus implementing the importance of the Lord’s Table. In Matt 28 we see
Jesus command His disciples to evangelize the lost with His religion. Ya Mike! But doesn't religion kill and destroy churches? My response! No, people do…….it our sin, it’s our ignorance to the
truth that kills and disrupts churches…not religion…..otherwise
we wouldn't have all these different religious groups or organizations.

Let me explain: You can go home and
Google the word “religion”and come across hundreds if not thousands of religions and religious types….….for example

Satanism is a
religion

Mormonism is a religion

The Watchtower is a
religion

Buddhism is a
religion

Hinduism is a
religion

Islam is a religion

The Shriner’s and
Free Masons is a religion

Judaism is a
religion

Christianity is a
religion

See you are a religious
person whether you want to think that or not! You can’t remove
that word “religion” for the sake of what society thinks or understands of that
word to be whether it has a negative or positive connotation at the end of it. Religion by definition according to Wikipedia…….. is a collection of
cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that relate humanity to
spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives,
symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to
life or to explain the origin of life or the universe. They tend to derive
morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas
about the cosmos and human nature. According to some estimates, there are roughly
4,200 religions in the world. Many religions may
have organized behaviors, clergy, a definition of what constitutes obedience or
membership, holy places, and scriptures. The practice of a religion may also
include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration a god or gods,
sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations, funerary services,
matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service or
other aspects of human culture.

Biblical “religion”is defined this way……. a belief in the being and
perfections of God, in the revelation of his will to man, in man's obligation
to obey his commands, in a state of reward and punishment, and in man's
accountableness to God; and also true godliness or piety of life, with the practice
of all moral duties. It therefore comprehends theology, as a system of
doctrines or principles, as well as practical piety; for the practice of moral
duties without a belief in a divine lawgiver, and without reference to his will
or commands, is not religion.

The word “religion”occurs five times in English Standard Version of the
Bible. It is, by itself, an entirely neutral word. Religion can refer
to Judaism (Acts 26:5) or the Jewish-Christian faith (Acts 25:19). Religion can be bad
when it is self-made (Col. 2:23) or fails to tame the tongue (James 1:26). But religion can
also be good when it cares for widows and orphans and practices moral purity
(James 1:27). We come to this
section of James letter that addresses what true religion looks, smells, sounds
and tastes like. He begins with what true biblical religion isn't! It's only a false
understanding or misleading characteristic of a false religious person
[unconverted] (v26) What does this look like? That person is unable to tame his
tongue….his religion is? Worthless

“Worthless” means…. useless, and
unprofitable to himself and others; all his preaching, praying, hearing, and
attendance on the ordinances will be of no avail to him. Why? Because he or
she cannot bridle their tongue….that muscles that gets us into trouble all the
time. What James is
telling us in this passage is that a corrupt and unholy heart will be exposed
by corrupt and unholy speech. The inward heart
will come to through your external behaviour. As John MacArthur
said “the tongue is not the only indicator of true spirituality but one of the
most reliable. Remember what Jesus
said in the Gospel? In Matt 12:34“Brood of vipers! [or as the King James says “O generation of
vipers….which implies “you group of poisonous snakes] How can
you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaks.” There are many
people who follow after religious traditions and rituals all in the name of
Jesus to appease their conscience. But the sad reality
is that it’s a man made and man centered religion that according to James “is
worthless.”As Paul Washer said
“what does your profession in Jesus Christ worth? Nothing apart from the
sustaining and continuing work of the Holy Spirit.”

You will know them
by their fruits

You will know them
by how the face trials and temptation

You will know them by
how they respond to God

You will know them
by their love for the Saviour

You will know them
by their desire to study the God breathed scripture

You will know them
by their speech

You will know them by
their true religion

A tradition 0r
ritual won’t! And can’t save you! Man centered
religion won’t! And can’t save you! Hoping on the
latest trend or band wagon won’t! And can’t save you. The only true
religion that saves if found in Jesus Christ alone. “And there is
salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among
men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12. What does true
religion look like? (v27)

YOUR SPEECH Which we already
looked at minute ago…..a proper and controlled speech is evidence to the sanctifying
work that God is doing in your life. A controlled speech
is one of the ways the fruit of the Spirit [self-control] works together in the
believer. Ask yourself in the
mirror of scripture…..Am I changing? Is
my lifestyle changing for His glory or for my shame? Is my life
displaying the firstfruits to His creation about the glories of His goodness. Because as Jesus
said…..Out the heart will display the truth of your life….is it Christ like or
is like an open tomb [rotting corpse]full of venom as Paul explains it in Romans
chapter three?

YOUR
SERVICE When we have been
given a new life we have a different and greater outlook on life and the people
that live in it. This present world! I’m grieved all the
time with the ramp sin in our world, the disregard for human life and
self-centeredness each and every day to name a few. The true religion
that James is talking about is that…..God implants this
new passion in our hearts….which is the gospel and the love of Christ to all
people groups. James picks two particular
groups of people as examples………Widows and orphans. The word “Visit” means much more than to drop by for
a chat. It carries the idea
of caring for others, exercising oversight on their behalf helping them in
whatever way is needed. If you went back
into the Old Testament you would find the writers mentioning these two groups often
to God’s chosen people.........For example:

We hear about Moses
instructing the people about caring for the widows and orphans [Deut 10:18;
Deut 14:9]

In Job’s letter we
see the mentioning of widows and orphans [Job 29:12-13; Job 31:15-20]

Isaiah speaks of
protecting them [Isa 1:16-17; Isa 58:6-7]

Jeremiah gives
instruction about widows and orphans [Jer 49:11]

Martin Luther said “It
is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor.” David said in Psalm
68:5 says “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” David had such a
love for God he couldn't do anything else other that have a heart for God’s
people. Remember what
happened after his closet friend died [Jonathan] what did David do? He displayed his
true love for God by taking in Jonathan’s son. He saw this young
man through the eyes of his greatest love……the LORD! 2Sam 9:6-9 “And
Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his
face and paid homage. And David said, "Mephibosheth!" And he answered,
"Behold, I am your servant." And David said to him, "Do not
fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I
will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my
table always." And he paid homage and said, "What is your servant,
that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?" Then the king
called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "All that belonged to Saul
and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson.” This same truth has
been sown throughout the scriptures into the New testament were we hear Jesus speak
[Matt 25] about how we are to treat the people of God! Paul instructing Timothy
about the importance of widows and orphans [1 Tim 5:3; 1 Tim 5:16]

Orphans and widows were
generally the neediest people in the early church. We need to
understand in those times there were no life insurance policies or welfare
system to get a person or child by. Woman didn't have
employment as we know it today or group homes for children. Children were defenseless and helpless without parental care and assistance. James says a
characteristic of the transforming work [true religion] as found in the word is
an outward adoration to seek the interest of others for the glory of His name. It’s a selfless
love for souls and for the gospel to penetrate the heart of the broken and the
lost. It’s a genuine
heart that doesn't seek praise, money or fame! They do this for the sake of our
Lord…..the one who gets the glory.

YOUR
SEPARATION FOR THE WORLD [SYSTEM] This is a great
test for all of us! What do I love more the things of this world or Christ and
His precious truth? Those that belong
to God are to be characterized by moral and spiritual purity. How do we do that?
By “keeping
oneself unstained” (v27) is the means
of its being “pure”. James isn't talking
about sinless perfection. James is talking
about a habitual lifestyle that doesn't conform itself according to the world’s
fallen standards of morals and carnality. Paul laid the
foundation clearly when he said ……“I appeal to you
therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:1-2. Our lives are to be
examples of the glories already been given through the gospel. That’s what true
religion looks like. Again as Paul Washer said
“A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth
nothing.” That means my
desires are to be His desires …which requires me to give up something….which is
this world and all it has to offer. John MacArthur said
“The cost of true greatness is humble, selfless, sacrificial service. The
Christian who desires to be great and first in the kingdom is the one who is
willing to serve in the hard place, the uncomfortable place, the lonely place,
the demanding place, the place where he is not appreciated and may even be
persecuted. Knowing that time is short and eternity is long, he is willing to
spend and be spent. He is willing to work for excellence without becoming
proud, to withstand criticism without becoming bitter, to be misjudged without
becoming defensive, and to withstand suffering without succumbing to self pity.” A true religion is
to put off and then to do with y0ur life according to the scriptures to glorify
His precious name as the first fruits of His creation. Why? Because in all
reality the Christian religion is an active display of mercy and grace through
Jesus Christ our Lord. SDG

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"Radical obediance to Christ is not easy; it is dangerous. It is not smooth sailing aboard a luxury liner; it is sacrificial duty aboard a troop carrier. It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obediance to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. and He is more than enough for us." David Platt

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2 Timothy 2:8-14"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us toa holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.Follow the pattern of the soundwords that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."ESV

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John MacArthur says . . . " There seems almost no limit to what modern church leaders will do to entice people who aren't interested in worship and preaching. Too many have bought the notion that the church must win people by offering an alternative form of entertainment. Just how far will the church go in competing with Hollywood? A large church in the southwestern United States has installed a half-million dollar special-effects system that can produce smoke, fire, sparks, and laser lights in the auditorium. The church sent staff members to study live special effects at Bally's Casino in Las Vegas. The pastor ended one service by ascending to "heaven" via invisible wires that drew him up out of sight while the choir and orchestra added a musical accompaniment to the smoke, fire, and light show. It was just a typical Sunday show for that pastor: "He packs his church with such special effects as ... cranking up a chain saw and toppling a tree to make a point ... the biggest Fourth of July fireworks display in town and a Christmas service with a rented elephant, kangaroo and zebra. The Christmas show features 100 clowns with gifts for the congregation's children."Shenanigans like that would have been the stuff of Spurgeon's worst nightmares. And even Tozer could not have foreseen the extreme to which evangelicals would go in paying homage to the great god Entertainment. "

What does it mean to live a cross centered life?by Pastor Mike AndrewsWe as Christians know that there is only one road to take. The Bible say's "wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it" (Matt 7:13). Why is there so many people who profess Jesus Christ taking this road? (Phil 3:19) "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things". The Bible say's the wide road leads to destruction. Which means eternally separated from a HOLY and Sovereign GOD. There is ony one road for GENUINE Christian. And it's the narrow road. A life that is: 1) Self denial2) Caring your cross daily3) Desiring the things of God4) Hating the things that God hates5) Submission and obedience6) Holy living7) Expects any kind of persecution.(Mat 10:22) and you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved(1 John 3:13) Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.A.W. Tozer says "The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" (1Pet 4:16-17) Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?We must stand strong in the Gospel of Christ. Holding to His promise of eternal life.
1. A Cross Centered life never is ashamed of His Gospel, for which He suffers,
2. A Cross Centered Life is never ashamed of the name he bears (Christian)
3. Nor of the punishment he endures, but let US, as OUR Lord and Master did, endure the cross.

"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." John Piper"Alan Redpathhad two daughters who loved to swarm him when he came home at night. As he came in the door one evening, his little girls ran to meet him. One grabbed his leg and hugged him with all her might. He snatched the other daughter up in his arms. The one squeezing his leg said, "Now, I've got all of Daddy." The daughter in his arms replied, "Yes, but Daddy has got all of me!" Perhaps the question we need to continually ask is, "Does God have all of me?" Alan Redpath

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"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE") Gal 3:13. That's why as the great puritan once said "I preach as a dying man,to dying men. Richard Baxter...."